Concerning the recent negative Weekend voices article (Dec. 21) about American energy investments, perhaps the two authors should have invested a bit of their energy into researching the history of the American automobile. This is what they would have found.

Just as the American automobile industry advanced to survive early problems and setbacks, so is the American energy sector also advancing with newer and better solutions to our American energy problems. Our country’s efforts have historically been hailed as “American ingenuity” for good reason.

— “The Perils of the Motor Car” (late 1890s to early 1900s): Published in various local newspapers, these articles criticized cars for endangering pedestrians and animals. Reports often emphasize accidents caused by reckless driving.

— The New York Times (1901): Letters to the editor discussed “the menace of the horseless carriage,” focusing on high speeds (around 20 mph!) and their potential to harm people or animals.

— The Boston Evening Transcript (1903): Articles highlighted complaints about the “unbearable noise” created by automobiles, calling for stricter regulations.

— Scientific American (1906): Some editorials speculated on the long-term environmental impact of oil consumption and exhaust emissions, though the focus at the time was more on soot and smoke.

— Harper’s Weekly (1899): An essay criticized automobiles as “playthings for the rich,” suggesting they symbolized inequality and extravagance.

— The Atlantic Monthly (1907): Published a piece that lamented the loss of quiet rural landscapes due to “infernal machines” tearing up roads. The Farmer’s Advocate (1910): Articles argued that cars were ruining dirt roads initially built for wagons, forcing costly repairs at the taxpayers’ expense.

— Collier’s Weekly (1912): Criticized the auto industry for monopolistic practices and its lobbying power to influence road development policies.

— Ladies’ Home Journal (1905): Articles warned that automobiles encouraged reckless behavior and immorality, with a focus on young people using cars for unsupervised outings.

Frequent Breakdowns and Reliability Issues

— “The Motor Car’s Many Failures” (The New York Times, 1901): Discussed how early automobiles frequently broke down, particularly during long journeys, due to weak engines, poor lubrication, and overheating.

— “Why Horseless Carriages Stall” (Scientific American, 1902): A technical piece addressing common causes of stalling, such as inefficient ignition systems and poorly calibrated carburetors.

Maintenance Problems

— “Keeping the Motor Car Running” (Harper’s Weekly, 1903): Highlighted the constant need for repairs, focusing on tire blowouts, battery failures, and the frequent need to replace belts and gears.

— “The Daily Struggle with a Horseless Wagon” (The Boston Globe, 1905): Complained about how automobile ownership required owners to become amateur mechanics, as garages and repair shops were still rare.

— “The Gasoline Shortage Problem” (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1906): Criticized early automobiles for their dependence on gasoline, which was both expensive and difficult to procure outside urban centers.

— “Steam or Gas? A Debate on the Best Power Source” (Popular Mechanics, 1902): Examined the mechanical downsides of steam-powered and gasoline-powered cars, including challenges with fuel efficiency and engine reliability.

Tires and Road Conditions

— “The Weak Link: Automobile Tires” (Collier’s Weekly, 1904): Discussed the fragility of early pneumatic tires, which frequently punctured on unpaved roads.

— “Unfit for the Country Road” (The Chicago Tribune, 1908): Critiqued automobiles for their unsuitability to rural conditions, blaming poor suspension and insufficient tire durability.

Design Flaws and Lack of Standardization

— “Faulty Engineering in Motor Carriages” (The Engineer, 1900): A British article that criticized the lack of standardization in parts and controls, making it difficult to repair or maintain cars from different manufacturers.

— “A Case Against the Steering Wheel” (Automobile Magazine, 1905): Critiqued the inefficiency of early steering mechanisms, which were prone to sudden failure and hard to control.

Cold Weather and Climate Issues

— “Winter Woes of the Motorist” (Detroit Free Press, 1910): Focused on the difficulty of starting engines in cold weather, with articles noting that freezing temperatures could crack engine blocks or stiffen oil.

Bob Reuther is a Lily Dale resident.